Leonid Slutsky is expected to use the full depth of his Hull City squad as he takes charge of his first game against Oxford United in Albufeira this evening.

After jetting out to the Algarve on Tuesday to begin a warm-weather training camp, the Tigers step up their preparations in the first of five friendlies before the Championship season kicks off in three weeks.

League One side Oxford provide the first opposition of Slutsky’s reign at the Estadio da Nora tonight (6.30pm) and the limited options available means the majority of City’s travelling squad will feature.

Already without the injured David Meyler, Ryan Mason, Will Keane, Moses Odubajo and Will Mannion, Slutsky has now lost David Marshall for up to six weeks with an ankle ligament injury.

Ahmed Elmohamady, Abel Hernandez, Kamil Grosicki and Markus Henriksen are unlikely to be handed starts after only returning to pre-season training on Monday, but Ola Aina is in line to make his first appearance for the club.

The right-back was signed from Chelsea on a season-long loan on Tuesday and remains the only new recruit in City’s ranks. Slutsky has two senior goalkeepers to select from in the shape of Eldin Jakupovic and Allan McGregor but resources are stretched in defence. Michael Dawson is City’s only recognised central defender currently available.

Josh Clackstone, left, and Dan Batty, right, are among the youngsters aiming to impress Hull City head coach Leonid Slutsky (Image: Hull City)

Josh Clackstone, Brian Lenihan, Greg Olley, Max Clark, Dan Batty, Jarrod Bowen and Greg Luer, all aged 23 or under, are set to be named in the matchday squad.